1. Panthers: Cam Newton, quarterback, Auburn.
Carolina’s new coaching staff doesn’t seem to believe in 2010 second-rounder Jimmy Clausen, and the front office is “not sold” that any of this year’s defensive linemen are No. 1-pick worthy. Newton has franchise-saving talent at the most important position in pro sports.

2. Broncos: Marcell Dareus, defensive tackle, Alabama.
Dareus has passed Nick Fairley on most teams’ boards as the draft’s top defensive tackle, and a glance at Denver’s depth chart reveals the worst interior line in football. At 6-foot-4, 319 with incredible quickness and short-area explosion, Dareus is a no brainer at No. 2.

3. Bills: Da’Quan Bowers, defensive end, Clemson.
The Bills would prefer Cam Newton, but won’t have a chance at him barring a trade up. While Blaine Gabbert should also be considered, the NCAA’s sack and tackle-for-loss leader will be difficult to resist for a club that ranked 27th in sacks last year. Ala Darnell Dockett in Arizona, Bowers would play end in Buffalo’s 3-4 and focus on rushing the passer.

4. Bengals: Blaine Gabbert, quarterback, Missouri.
Carson Palmer is serious about never playing for the Bengals again, and backup Jordan Palmer wouldn’t make most NFL rosters as a third-stringer. Without free agency on the horizon, there’s no way the Bengals can afford to pass on an elite quarterback. Gabbert is this year’s top-rated passer in many eyes.

5. Cardinals: Von Miller, linebacker, Texas A&M.
NFL Network’s Mike Mayock uses two words to describe Miller. “Defies. Gravity. Bends parallel to the ground. This guy comes off the edge and it’s scary how quick he gets to the quarterback.” The Cards could use some of that with Joey Porter and Clark Haggans both 34 years old.

6. Browns: A.J. Green, wide receiver, Georgia.
While he didn’t generate quite the buzz fellow receiver Julio Jones did in Indianapolis, Green remains the clear-cut No. 1 wideout in this year’s class. The Browns are committed to Colt McCoy, but he’ll never realize his potential without an improved supporting cast.

7. *****: Patrick Peterson, cornerback, LSU.
Peterson deserves to go higher based on talent, but there hasn’t been a corner drafted in the top five in eight years. The 2010 Thorpe Award winner as college football’s top defensive back, Peterson’s addition would allow San Francisco to comfortably part with overpriced veteran Nate Clements.

8. Titans: Nick Fairley, defensive tackle, Auburn.
The Titans want a quarterback, but Blaine Gabbert and Cam Newton won’t get out of the top five. Instead, they can end Fairley’s mini-free fall by reuniting him with college position coach Tracy Rocker. Fairley didn’t have a good Combine, and his measurables aren’t top-five caliber.

9. Cowboys: Prince Amukamara, cornerback, Nebraska.
Terence Newman is going on 33 and was abused in coverage last season, so it’s hard to imagine the Cowboys paying his $8 million non-guaranteed salary. The secondary is Dallas’ greatest weakness by a good margin, and Amukamara is by far the best defensive back available.

10. Redskins: Julio Jones, wide receiver, Alabama.
Owning no third- or fourth-round pick, the Redskins are prime candidates to trade out of the tenth spot with a team hungry for pass rushers. If coach Mike Shanahan stands pat, he must select an immediate starter at quarterback, wide receiver, or in the defensive front seven.

11. Texans: Robert Quinn, linebacker, North Carolina.
Quinn’s Combine performance has been described as “just average,” but he’s still a shoo-in for the top-12 selections. The Texans are currently relying on former backup defensive end Connor Barwin to be their lead pass-rushing outside linebacker. Barwin has 4 1/2 career sacks.

12. Vikings: Jake Locker, quarterback, Washington.
Clued-in Minneapolis Star-Tribune reporter Judd Zulgad’s “gut feeling” is that Locker is going to end up with the Vikings. Defensive line and safety are big needs for Minnesota, but when Joe Webb is atop your depth chart, quarterback trumps them all.

13. Lions: Tyron Smith, tackle, USC.
Our last mock had the Lions taking a tackle, and we don’t see that changing barring a draft-day slide from one of the top two cornerbacks. Boasting 36 3/8-inch arms and the most impressive feet of any offensive lineman available, Smith has overtaken Nate Solder and Anthony Castonzo.

14. Rams: Aldon Smith, defensive end, Missouri.
G.M. Billy Devaney will be disappointed when Julio Jones goes off the board in front of him, but quality fall-back options are plentiful. A local favorite, Smith showed at the Combine that his best position is defensive end in a 4-3, and current Chris Long bookend James Hall recently turned 34.

15. Dolphins: Mark Ingram, running back, Alabama.
Ingram’s stock wasn’t affected by his seemingly lackluster 4.62 forty at the Combine because NFL scouts already know he isn’t a burner. The fact that he beat out top running back sprinter Da’Rel Scott in the ten-yard split indicates that Ingram’s short-area burst is elite and worthy of a top-20 selection.

16. Jaguars: Christian Ponder, quarterback, Florida State.
Ponder is gaining steam for the first round after big Senior Bowl and Combine performances, and word out of Big Cat Country is that G.M. Gene Smith “likes him a lot.” David Garrard recently turned 33, is due $25.4 million over the next three seasons, and isn’t a true franchise quarterback.

17. Patriots: J.J. Watt, defensive end, Wisconsin.
Five-technique ends don’t go early in drafts unless it’s the Chiefs reeeaching for Tyson Jackson. But Watt projects as a borderline double-digit sack guy ala Justin Smith, with the ability to also be a high-impact run defender. At this point in the draft, Watt should be atop the Patriots’ board.

18. Chargers: Cameron Jordan, defensive end, Cal.
Like Watt, Jordan is unlikely to be drafted before the teens unless a 4-3 team deems him capable of playing strong-side end. Throw out Jackson, and in the last five years the highest a true “five technique” has been selected was No. 28 (Jared Odrick, Dolphins). San Diego is desperate for end help.

20. Buccaneers: Ryan Kerrigan, defensive end, Purdue.
After bringing up the NFC rear in sacks, the Bucs are desperate for pass-rushing production. Kerrigan fits that role as well as anyone in the draft after generating 56 tackles for loss and 32.5 sacks in his final three college seasons while tying the NCAA record with 14 forced fumbles.

21. Chiefs: Derek Sherrod, tackle, Mississippi State.
Kansas City needs a better right tackle than Barry Richardson if they’re going to continue to lead the NFL in rushing. Sherrod comes from a college program that posted a 619:288 run-to-pass ratio last season, and is considered this year’s most consistent tackle prospect in some circles.

22. Colts: Nate Solder, tackle, Colorado.
While Solder lacks core strength to be an instant impact run blocker, that’s less concerning for a Colts team that ranks 30th, 31st, and 28th in rushing attempts over the past three years. Indy’s pass protection is among the NFL’s worst, and they need to replace both starting tackles.

23. Eagles: Jimmy Smith, cornerback, Colorado.
Smith is a top-15 talent with shutdown-caliber ability, but character concerns will prevent him from going that early. He’s still a first-round prospect, and cornerback is the Eagles’ most glaring need after Dimitri Patterson and Ellis Hobbs flopped opposite Asante Samuel last year.

25. Seahawks: Colin Kaepernick, quarterback, Nevada.
Kaepernick isn’t commonly considered a first-round prospect, but Tim Tebow, Josh Freeman, and even Joe Flacco were viewed similarly entering the past three drafts. All were selected in the top 32. The Seahawks could bring along Kaepernick slowly after they re-sign stopgap Matt Hasselbeck.

26. Ravens: Torrey Smith, wide receiver, Maryland.
Smith is known to be on G.M. Ozzie Newsome’s radar as the Ravens’ personnel maven works to upgrade the slowest wide receiver corps in football. At 6-foot-1 and 204 pounds with 4.43 speed, Smith is a true vertical threat and would be an instant fan favorite with local ties.

27. Falcons: Gabe Carimi, tackle, Wisconsin.
A big-play wideout like Titus Young should also receive consideration from Atlanta, but Carimi provides more value at No. 27. Three Falcons starting offensive linemen are free agents, including right tackle Tyson Clabo.

28. Patriots: Brooks Reed, linebacker, Arizona.
Drawing comparisons to Clay Matthews, Reed ripped up the Combine with the top ten-yard split time amongst pass rushers, even showing more initial burst than A.J. Green. Reed is what the doctor ordered for New England’s outside linebacker woes.

29. Bears: Mike Pouncey, guard/center, Florida.
The Bears believe 2010 seventh-round pick J’Marcus Webb can be a long-term fixture at tackle, but the interior remains a major problem area. After his team allowed the most sacks in the NFL last season, G.M. Jerry Angelo must prioritize the front five.

30. Jets: Muhammad Wilkerson, defensive end, Temple.
If the season began today, Marcus Dixon (three career appearances) and Mike DeVito (0.5 sacks) would be the Jets’ starting defensive ends. Wilkerson is built to play five technique with 35 1/4-inch arms at 6-foot-4, 315. He also led Temple in sacks, tackles for loss, and hurries last year.

31. Steelers: Aaron Williams, cornerback, Texas.
Williams’ best position may ultimately be safety, but he’s ticketed for cornerback initially after posting respectable forty times in Indianapolis. Two of the Steelers’ top three corners are free agents, and free safety Ryan Clark is entering his age-32 season.

32. Packers: Cameron Heyward, defensive end, Ohio State.
The talent-rich Packers will be able to draft the best player available on April 28. Heyward would be in the mid first-round conversation if not for offseason Tommy John surgery, and also plays a position at which Green Bay is losing a key cog in free agent defensive end Cullen Jenkins.

-The Panthers taking Newton first overall is a distinct possibility, but I have a hard time believing it's a good choice.
-Not convinced Bowers is a good fit in Buffalo's 3-4.
-Gabbert to Cincy seems high to me, but positional value combined with Palmer's threat to retire could make it a reality.
-I'm fine with Aldon Smith as the Rams pick based on how the first 13 picks went. In fact, he'd probably be my preferred pick in that scenario.
-Ponder as a mid first round pick, wow. Can't say I really agree with that one, and I doubt Jags fans would be thrilled to see it.
-Ryan Kerrigan to the Bucs is probably a dream scenario for them.
-Houston is a very good pick for the Saints; might have to steal that one in my next mock ;)
-Not saying the Seahawks taking Kaepernick won't happen, but I have a hard time seeing it happen.
-Brooks Reed is gaining momentum; I still have him in the second round, but he's had a good offseason.

-03-08-2011

thermobee

Re: PFT's 2nd Mock Draft

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick

-Gabbert to Cincy seems high to me, but positional value combined with Palmer's threat to retire could make it a reality.

Its interesting to watch the situation there. Cincy is not playing ball and doesnt want to trade Palmer but if they pick a Qb with the pick and commit a whole lot of money to him and then Palmer shows up in camp, what are they gonna do then? Pay two Qbs 30mil/year when you can only play one. They have to trade him.

Interesting situation to say the least.

-03-08-2011

GROUND DOG 39

Re: PFT's 2nd Mock Draft

Devaney has shown in the past that he will take a flyer on a player who is a little raw, with a perceived higher ceiling, than some of the more pro ready athletes. Jason Smith>Eugene Monroe. So Aldon Smith is a possibility come April. He looks like he is far from maxed out with his frame.
If Jones is gone ? I wont be too disappointed if we get A.Smith.

-03-08-2011

HUbison

Re: PFT's 2nd Mock Draft

Oh my, Ponder and Kaepernick in the first round? If you pick a QB in the first round, you better make for darn sure, that he's a first round QB.

-03-08-2011

HUbison

Re: PFT's 2nd Mock Draft

Being a Mizzou fan, I would be excited to see Aldon Smith in St. Louis. The guy is an animal.

-03-08-2011

Nick

Re: PFT's 2nd Mock Draft

Quote:

Originally Posted by thermobee

Its interesting to watch the situation there. Cincy is not playing ball and doesnt want to trade Palmer but if they pick a Qb with the pick and commit a whole lot of money to him and then Palmer shows up in camp, what are they gonna do then? Pay two Qbs 30mil/year when you can only play one. They have to trade him.

Interesting situation to say the least.

Under that situation, the only camp I think Palmer shows up to is someone else's. My sense is that he wouldn't report to a Bengals team that just spent a fourth overall pick on a QB. But you're right, it's going to get interesting.

-03-08-2011

TekeRam

Re: PFT's 2nd Mock Draft

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick

Under that situation, the only camp I think Palmer shows up to is someone else's. My sense is that he wouldn't report to a Bengals team that just spent a fourth overall pick on a QB. But you're right, it's going to get interesting.

I think that's exactly the reason why the Bengals should be absolutely begging for the CBA to be completed before the draft, because if they can't trade Palmer before the draft, either they take the high QB and lose all trade value on Palmer, or they don't take a QB at #4, and possibly are forced to either start a QB that's not ready, get a free agent, or make peace with Palmer.

As for my response on the Rams taking Aldon Smith, I'd be ecstatic. He's been listed in a top 10 or two, is young and still growing into his body, and looks like a prototype right end. If Quinn was available, I'd jump on him first, but Smith is an excellent runner up(Bowers will be long gone).

-03-08-2011

Ramblin` Ram

Re: PFT's 2nd Mock Draft

I think Aldon to the Rams would be great..he`s a top 10 pick in my eyes,so would be good value at 14 ..should also help in some way to fill some of those empty seats too with him being somewhat of a local hero

-03-08-2011

RAMarkable

Re: PFT's 2nd Mock Draft

I LOVE IT!! I've been mocking Aldon Smith to the Rams for awhile now and am excited to see that as the QBs and J. Jones move up he becomes more and more of a possibility.

Now all PFT has to do is have us select Bruce Carter or Mason Foster in the 2nd round and we'll really be on the same page!;)